Fan impeller structure and cooling fan thereof

ABSTRACT

A fan impeller structure and a cooling fan thereof. The fan impeller structure consisting of a hub and a flow guide body. The hub has an extension section extending from outer circumference of the hub. The extension section has a first face and a second face. An axial center of the flow guide body is defined with an axial line. A fitting section outward extends from the axial line. A spoiler section is connected to the fitting section in a direction away from the axial line. The spoiler section is formed with multiple axial perforations that communicate with multiple radial perforations. The flow guide body is disposed on the first or second face of the extension section of the hub. The flow guide body is employed to replace the blades of conventional cooling fan. The perforations of the flow guide body can forcedly guide air in a narrow space.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/328,708, filed on Jul. 11, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a fan impeller structure and a cooling fan thereof, and more particularly to a cooling fan, which has thinner thickness, while still able to provide excellent heat dissipation effect.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, various electronic apparatuses and handheld devices have become thinner and thinner. As a result, the internal receiving spaces of the handheld devices for arrangement of the electronic components have become smaller and smaller. In this case, the heat generated by the high-performance electronic components received in the narrowed receiving space is harder to dissipate. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation components and cooling fan. With respect to the handheld device, the internal electronic components are extremely compactly arranged in the receiving space for protecting the electronic components. Moreover, some of the handheld devices are designed without any opening in communication with outer side. Therefore, it is very hard to dissipate the heat.

Some manufacturers have developed miniaturized fans arranged in the narrowed spaces of the handheld devices. In order to minify the height of the fan and thin the fan, first, it is necessary to reduce the numbers of the silicon steel sheets and the windings of the stator structure of the fan and minify the height or area of the blades. However, the decrease of the numbers of the silicon steel sheets and the windings will lead to deterioration of the performance of the fan. In the case that the height or area of the blades is also minified, the cooling fan can hardly provide heat dissipation effect.

Therefore, it has become a critical issue in this field how to arrange a thinned but high-performance cooling fan in the narrow space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a fan impeller structure, which can reduce the total thickness of the cooling fan.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cooling fan, which has thinner thickness, while still able to provide excellent heat dissipation effect.

To achieve the above and other objects, the fan impeller structure of the present invention consisting of a hub and a flow guide body. An axial center of the flow guide body is defined with an axial line. A fitting section outward extends from the axial line. A spoiler section is connected to the fitting section in a direction away from the axial line. The spoiler section is formed with multiple axial perforations that communicate with multiple radial perforations. The flow guide body is fitted around the hub via the fitting section.

Alternatively, the fan impeller structure of the present invention consisting of a hub and a flow guide body. The hub has an extension section extending from outer circumference of the hub. The extension section has a first face and a second face. An axial center of the flow guide body is defined with an axial line. A fitting section outward extends from the axial line. A spoiler section is connected to the fitting section in a direction away from the axial line. The spoiler section is formed with multiple axial perforations that communicate with multiple radial perforations. The flow guide body is disposed on the first face or the second face of the extension section of the hub, and the flow guide body is selected from a group consisting of a foamed porous structure, a spongey, porous wooden material and a foamed metal, a recess is formed between the fitting section of the flow guide body and the outer circumference of the hub, a plurality of members connecting the fitting section of the flow guide body and the outer circumference of the hub, an inward recessed section is formed at a junction between the fitting section of the flow guide body and the spoiler section.

The cooling fan of the present invention includes a fan frame body, a bearing, a fan impeller structure, a stator assembly and a cover body.

The fan frame body has a bottom side. A bearing cup is vertically disposed on the bottom side. A wall section partially vertically extends from a periphery of the bottom side. A part of the periphery of the bottom side that is free from the wall section has an outlet. The bearing has a shaft hole. The bearing is received in the bearing cup. The hub has an extension section extending from outer circumference of the hub. The extension section has a first face and a second face. A shaft is inserted in an inner end face of the hub and the shaft hole of the bearing. The fan impeller structure consisting of a hub and a flow guide body. An axial center of the flow guide body is defined with an axial line. A fitting section outward extends from the axial line. A spoiler section is connected to the fitting section in a direction away from the axial line. The spoiler section is formed with multiple axial perforations that communicate with multiple radial perforations. The flow guide body is disposed on the first face or the second face of the extension section of the hub, and the flow guide body is selected from a group consisting of a foamed porous structure body, a spongey, porous wooden material and a foamed metal, an inward recessed section is formed at a junction between the fitting section of the flow guide body and the spoiler section. The stator assembly is fitted around the bearing cup. One side of the cover body is formed with an inlet. The cover body is connected with the wall section of the fan frame body.

By means of the fan impeller structure and the cooling fan of the present invention, the problem of deterioration of heat dissipation performance due to thinning of the cooling fan is solved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the second embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention in another aspect;

FIG. 4 is a perspective assembled view of a third embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective assembled view of a fourth embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the cooling fan of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional assembled view of the first embodiment of the cooling fan of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the operation of the cooling fan of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention. According to the first embodiment, the fan impeller structure 1 of the present invention consisting of a hub 11 and a flow guide body 12.

The axial center of the flow guide body 12 is defined with an axial line 121. A fitting section 122 outward extends from the axial line 121. A spoiler section 123 is connected to the fitting section 122 in a direction away from the axial line 121. The spoiler section 123 is formed with multiple axial perforations 1231 and multiple radial perforations 1231 in communication with each other. The flow guide body 12 is fitted around the hub 11 via the fitting section 122. Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the second embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention in another aspect. The second embodiment is partially identical to the first embodiment in structural characteristic and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the hub 11 has an extension (connection) section 111 extending from outer circumference of the hub 11. The extension section 111 has a first face 1111 and a second face 1112. The flow guide body 12 can be disposed on the first face 1111 or the second face 1112 of the extension section 111 of the hub 11. FIG. 2 shows that the flow guide body 12 is disposed on the first face 1111 of the extension section 111. FIG. 3 shows that two flow guide bodies 12 are respectively disposed on the first face 1111 and the second face 1112 of the extension section 111.

Please now refer to FIG. 4, which is a perspective assembled view of a third embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention. The third embodiment is partially identical to the second embodiment in structural characteristic and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a recess 124 is formed between the fitting section 122 of the flow guide body 12 and the outer circumference of the hub 11.

Please now refer to FIG. 5, which is a perspective assembled view of a fourth embodiment of the fan impeller structure of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is partially identical to the third embodiment in structural characteristic and thus will not be repeatedly described hereinafter. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that an inward recessed section 1232 is formed at the junction between the fitting section 122 of the flow guide body 12 and the spoiler section 123.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the flow guide body 12 has the form of a circular disc body or an elliptic disc body or a geometric plate body. In the first and second embodiments, the flow guide body 12 is, but not limited to, a circular disc body for illustration purposes only. The axial perforations and radial perforations 1231 of the spoiler section 123 are in communication with each other. A shaft 13 is inserted in the hub 11. The flow guide body 12 is selected from a group consisting of foamed porous structure body, spongy, porous wooden material and foamed metal. In the first, second, third and fourth embodiments, the flow guide body 12 is, but not limited to, a spongy body for illustration purposes only.

Please now refer to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the cooling fan of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sectional assembled view of the first embodiment of the cooling fan of the present invention. According to the first embodiment, the cooling fan 2 of the present invention includes a fan frame body 21, a bearing 22, a fan impeller structure 1, a stator assembly 23 and a cover body 24.

The fan frame body 21 has a bottom side 211. A bearing cup 212 is vertically disposed on the bottom side 211. A wall section 213 partially vertically extends from a periphery of the bottom side 211. A part of the periphery of the bottom side 211 that is free from the wall section 213 has an outlet 214. The bearing 22 has a shaft hole 221. The bearing 22 is received in the bearing cup 212. The fan impeller structure 1 consisting of a hub 11 and a flow guide body 12. The hub 11 has an extension (connection) section 111 extending from outer circumference of the hub 11. The extension section 111 has a first face 1111 and a second face 1112. A magnetic member 112 is disposed on inner circumference of the hub 11. A shaft 13 is inserted in an inner end face of the hub 11. (The shaft 13 is inserted in the shaft hole 221.) The axial center of the flow guide body 12 is defined with an axial line 121. A fitting section 122 outward extends from the axial line 121. A spoiler section 123 is connected to the fitting section 122 in a direction away from the axial line 121. The spoiler section 123 is formed with multiple axial perforations 1231 and multiple radial perforations 1231. The flow guide body 12 is disposed on the first face 1111 or the second face 1112 of the extension section 111 of the hub 11. The stator assembly 23 is fitted around the bearing cup 212. One side of the cover body 24 is formed with an inlet 241. The cover body 24 is connected with the wall section 213 of the fan frame body 21.

The stator assembly 23 includes multiple silicon steel sheets 231 and multiple windings 232 wound around the silicon steel sheets 231. The magnetic member 112 disposed in the hub 11 corresponds to the stator assembly 23 fitted around the bearing cup 212.

Please now refer to FIGS. 8 and 9, which show the operation of the cooling fan of the present invention. The cooling fan 2 is disposed in the receiving space 31 of the handheld device 3. The receiving space 31 is so narrow that a common cooling fan can hardly provide necessary heat dissipation effect. The cooling fan 2 of the present invention is specifically designed for the narrow space to provide necessary heat dissipation effect. The cooling fan 2 of the present invention employs a flow guide body 12 with multiple perforations (voids) 1231 to replace the conventional fan blades. In operation, the multiple perforations 1231 of the flow guide body 12 of the cooling fan 2 can urge the air in the narrow receiving space 31 to flow. The conventional fan blades are replaced with the flow guide body 12 with the multiple perforations 1231. The airflow is guided from the inlet 241 of the fan frame body 21 to the outlet 214 and is exhausted from the outlet 214 to cause convection.

For arranging the cooling fan 2 in the narrow receiving space 31, it is necessary to first thin the cooling fan 2. The flow guide body 12 of the present invention is applicable to the narrow receiving space 31 without manufacturing any thin fan blade. Therefore, the complicated thin fan blade design is unnecessary so that the manufacturing cost is lowered and the manufacturing time is shortened. Also, the flow guide body 12 of the present invention can achieve the necessary heat dissipation effect.

The present invention has been described with the above embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in the above embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fan impeller structure consisting of a hub and a flow guide body, the hub having an extension section extending from outer circumference of the hub, the extension section having a first face and a second face, an axial center of the flow guide body being defined with an axial line, a fitting section outward extending from the axial line, a spoiler section being connected to the fitting section in a direction away from the axial line, the spoiler section being formed with multiple axial perforations that communicate with multiple radial perforations such that an airflow is guided through said perforations and propelled by said spoiler, the flow guide body being disposed on the first face or the second face of the extension section of the hub, and the flow guide body is selected from a group consisting of a foamed porous structure, a spongey, porous wooden material and a foamed metal.
 2. The fan impeller structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a recess is formed between the fitting section of the flow guide body and the outer circumference of the hub.
 3. The fan impeller structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein an inward recessed section is formed at a junction between the fitting section of the flow guide body and the spoiler section.
 4. The fan impeller structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shaft is inserted in the hub.
 5. The fan impeller structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow guide body has the form of a circular disc body or an elliptic disc body or a geometric plate body.
 6. A cooling fan disposed in a receiving space of a handheld device and spaced from an outer wall thereof by a narrow air inlet gap comprising: a fan frame body having a bottom side, a bearing cup being vertically disposed on the bottom side, a wall section partially vertically extending from a periphery of the bottom side, a part of the periphery of the bottom side that is free from the wall section having an outlet; a bearing having a shaft hole, the bearing being received in the bearing cup; a fan impeller structure consisting of a hub and a flow guide body, the hub having an extension section extending from outer circumference of the hub, the extension section having a first face and a second face, a magnetic member being disposed on inner circumference of the hub, a shaft being inserted in an inner end face of the hub, an axial center of the flow guide body being defined with an axial line, a fitting section outward extending from the axial line, a spoiler section being connected to the fitting section in a direction away from the axial line, the spoiler section being formed with multiple axial perforations that communicate with multiple radial perforations causing air to circulate through said spoiler section, the flow guide body being disposed on the first face or the second face of the extension section of the hub, and the flow guide body is selected from a group consisting of a foamed porous structure body, a spongey, porous wooden material and a foamed metal; a stator assembly fitted around the bearing cup; and a cover body, one side of the cover body forming an air inlet between the cover body and the top of the fan framed body, the air being directed to the flow guide body, the cover body being connected with the wall section of the fan frame body.
 7. The cooling fan as claimed in claim 6, wherein a recess is formed between the fitting section of the flow guide body and the outer circumference of the hub.
 8. The cooling fan as claimed in claim 7, wherein an inward recessed section is formed at a junction between the fitting section of the flow guide body and the spoiler section.
 9. The cooling fan as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stator assembly includes multiple silicon steel sheets and multiple windings wound around the silicon steel sheets.
 10. The cooling fan as claimed in claim 6, wherein the flow guide body has the form of a circular disc body or an elliptic disc body or a geometric plate body. 